Is Ditching Dairy Healthy?

There are many reasons individuals may choose to eliminate dairy from their diet. In the past, the most common reasons for ditching dairy were lactose intolerance, milk allergies, and ethical reasons. Lately, however, the benefits of eliminating dairy from one's diet have been a hot topic in online health and beauty communities. Proponents of a dairy-free diet claim eliminating dairy caused improvements in both their health and appearance. These claims have caused dairy-free diets to gain popularity among individuals who otherwise wouldn't have considered them. So, what are these claims and how valid are they? Does ditching dairy have any health risks?